Bounced for the colour of my skin

WHILE we black people have been on the receiving end of racism since time immemorial, I am not one to give much thought to such misconduct or remarks.

I believe racism is born out of poverty of mind.

How any of us looks is an accident of biological history.

Still, when I encountered conduct more appropriate to the apartheid regime in South Africa in a Cork nightclub recently, I was reminded yet again of the dilemma of the black race in a hypocritical world.

I was on a night out with two friends and colleagues (Spanish and Turkish of Caucasian origin) last Friday when we decided to go to a certain nightclub.

Before 11pm, as we made to enter alongside other patrons, I was singled out by one of the doormen who sneered at me and asked if I had taken drink.

I told him I had not — in fact, I do not take alcohol or any related substance at all. Then he told me, brusquely and rudely, I would not be allowed in. I demanded an explanation, but he said he didn’t want to speak to me any further and he moved a step away.

His colleague walked over to me and, in a similarly rude way, said I should move on.

My friends were given the nod to enter, but they decided not to do so. I had to walk away humiliated for no reason apart from the colour of my skin.

I do not drink or smoke, or take any restricted drug whatever.

I have no apology to make to anybody for my colour. Neither do I feel incomplete with it.

If a society claims to be civilised, it must act like it in all respects.

Olufemi O. Amao

Woodland View

Western Road

Cork